2019, vol. 7, no. 2. Seleznev Ju.V.

2019, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 225-241

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22378/2313-6197.2019-7-2.225-241

   THE RUS GRANDCHILDREN OF THE POLOVTSIAN PRINCES
(THE QUESTION OF POLOVTSIAN KINSHIP
IN THE POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN RUS
FROM THE 11TH TO THE FIRST HALF OF THE 13TH CENTURY)

Ju.V. Seleznev
Voronezh State University
Voronezh, Russian Federation
orda1359@mail.ru

Abstract: Research objectives: A reconstruction of a verbal model of kinship relations among the Polovtsian and Rus princes from the eleventh to the first half of the thirteenth century in order to clarify the role of matrimonial relations with nomads in the political life of the Rus principalities of the time.
Research materials: The analysis is based on evidence from chronicles, historical source studies, and archaeological research.
Results and novelty of the research: The author reconstructed a verbal model for the kinship of the Rus and Polovtsian princes (c. 1000s–1250). He emphasized for the first time the role of the grandchildren of the Polovtsian princes in Rus history during the period, and the use of kinship in the Polovtsian society to solve their political problems. The fact that representatives of these neighboring nations entered into marriage unions is quite natural and to some extent inevitable. The Polovtsians and the Rus in the established timeframe were no exception. The chronicles record first of all the marriages of representatives of the ruling elite of peoples and states, between the Rus and Polovtsian princes. There is no doubt that such dynastic unions were a political declaration of friendly and shared intentions, including those that pertained to the military sphere. The princes, their children, and grandchildren found themselves in a complex system of kinship both in Rus and in the Polovtsian steppe. This contributed to the fact that the Rus and Polovtsian princes and their children could count not only on peaceful interaction with the paired clans and tribes, but also on the military support of their relatives. The testimony of the chronicles allows us to trace eleven marriages of Rus princes with the daughters of the Polovtsian rulers. The descendants of these unions – the grandchildren of the Polovtsian princes – took part in political life in Russia to one degree or another. The chronicles’ accounts allow us to show how the princes used their Polovtsian relatives as allies in solving their political issues along with the confrontation of theprinces’ squads with Polovtsian troops. An analysis of these testimonies makes it possible to determine the degree of influence of the “Polovtsian factor” on the political life of Eastern Europe from the eleventh to the first half of the thirteenth century. Marriage unions of Polovtsian grandchildren and granddaughters with European courts are recorded within the framework of dynastic ties, and this reflects the significant role of Polovtsian nobility in the international arena by the middle of the thirteenth century. However, the sources did not record any cases of a marriage between Polovtsian princes and Rus princesses or boyarynyas.

Keywords: Rus, Polovtsian steppe, Kiev, matrimonial relations, Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri Dolgoruky, Andrei Bogolyubsky

For citation: Seleznev Ju.V. The Rus Grandchildren of the Polovtsian Princes (The Question of Polovtsian Kinship in the Political Struggle in Rus from the 11th to the first half of the 13th century). Zolotoordynskoe obozrenie=Golden Horde Review. 2019, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 225–241. (In Russian) DOI: 10.22378/2313-6197.2019-7-2.225-241

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About the author: Yury V. Seleznev – Dr. Sci. (History), Associate Professor, Department of History of Russia of the Voronezh State University (88, Moskovsky Avenue, Voronezh 394068, Russian Federation). E-mail: orda1359@mail.ru

Received  February 15, 2019   Accepted for publication  May 20, 2019
Published online  June 29, 2019